Can Humor help in spreading humanism and Freethought? - Atheist Nexus2016-12-10T03:51:38Zhttp://atheistnexus.org/forum/topics/can-humor-help-in-spreading-humanism-and-freethought?commentId=2182797%3AComment%3A2121374&xg_source=activity&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI think you need to tread VER…tag:atheistnexus.org,2012-12-12:2182797:Comment:21213742012-12-12T18:07:18.789ZLoren Millerhttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/LorenMiller
<p>I think you need to tread VERY carefully. We have a saying in the US:<br/><br/><em>Watch that first step - it's a DOOZY!!!</em></p>
<p>I think you need to tread VERY carefully. We have a saying in the US:<br/><br/><em>Watch that first step - it's a DOOZY!!!</em></p> Thanks so much for the reply…tag:atheistnexus.org,2012-12-12:2182797:Comment:21213632012-12-12T16:17:12.003ZNairobi Freethinkershttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/NairobiFreethinkers
<p>Thanks so much for the reply Loren and Booklover. Consider this. You come from a highly religious place where most people would not even dare to look at a book trying to criticize religion let alone even touch. You are aware of this, but realize that you can lure the same people by presenting the same ideas written in the same books by using humor. Then in the end, some open up their minds and start looking skepticaly at what they believe in. Don't you think that is a step.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the reply Loren and Booklover. Consider this. You come from a highly religious place where most people would not even dare to look at a book trying to criticize religion let alone even touch. You are aware of this, but realize that you can lure the same people by presenting the same ideas written in the same books by using humor. Then in the end, some open up their minds and start looking skepticaly at what they believe in. Don't you think that is a step.</p> It might under one very criti…tag:atheistnexus.org,2012-12-12:2182797:Comment:21212792012-12-12T15:16:04.851ZLoren Millerhttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/LorenMiller
<p>It might under one very critical condition: that all parties have the capacity to laugh at themselves and by extension, what they believe. Given that, you might get believers to at least consider the foolishness of some of the things they believe and therewith take a second look at them. The problem is that, at least from my experience, belief is something they have been taught to take VERY SERIOUSLY, especially the "going-to-hell" business. Let's keep in mind that a lot of the power that…</p>
<p>It might under one very critical condition: that all parties have the capacity to laugh at themselves and by extension, what they believe. Given that, you might get believers to at least consider the foolishness of some of the things they believe and therewith take a second look at them. The problem is that, at least from my experience, belief is something they have been taught to take VERY SERIOUSLY, especially the "going-to-hell" business. Let's keep in mind that a lot of the power that irrational belief holds over believers derives from <strong>FEAR</strong>. Such fear isn't conducive either to lightheartedness or to laughter, and no great surprise, either. These people treat this business as a life-and-death matter.<br/><br/>If someone is going to laugh at something, they have to think it's funny. Certainly, comedians such as Robin Williams and George Carlin poked fun at religion all the time, but typically, they were preaching to the choir. The audience you're talking about tends to equate themselves with their beliefs, and if you're laughing at the belief, you're laughing at them.<br/><br/>Not good.</p>